Can MBA Degree Guarantee Career Success?
The Demand
In part, it may or can contribute to a successful career, but never a guarantee. However, if you want to grab the opportunities below, you might want to consider getting an MBA degree.
“The demand for marketing, advertising, promotions and public relations managers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.” -U.S. Department of Labor’s 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook
The MBA Advantage
For those of us who are pursuing careers in these fields, this is a good time to consider an MBA degree. While, as I asserted, MBA degree is no guarantee, it can however give you an edge over other employees or candidates for managerial positions. In fact, some companies would require managerial candidates to get a graduate degree to qualify for a management office.
“Why would I spend my time in the university again? I have already put on 5 years of my life in college, and then you expect me to put on another three in graduate studies? That is too much! It’s time to earn my way through my career, besides work experience is much more important than an MBA degree!”
Sound familiar?
Many young professionals, I noticed, tend to shun pursuing graduate degrees or higher education beyond college. Some would even contend that it is a waste of time and money. Further; they aver that you can succeed without a MBA strap on your shoulders. I agree partly, because a degree is only one of many contributing factors in career success. I have already made that assertion earlier. On the other hand, I disagreed on the former contentions. Graduate degrees, an MBA for example, have their own merits, and would prove to be an advantage if you are vying for a managerial position.
During my stint as Corporate HR Manager, I have interviewed more than a thousand candidates for specialist, supervisory, managerial, and executive positions. I have noticed, roughly, only 1 out of 10 candidates has a Master’s degree or is pursuing a graduate program. My stats show that whenever I short list one of these candidates against two others who are not in their category, 99% of the time, the CEO or COO will prefer the former. What does this implies?
Young urban professionals with MBA degrees or pursuing graduate education are:
- Viewed to have more potential for promotion to leadership or managerial positions than other candidates. Which can easily be translated to savings and profits on the cost of staff hiring and training;
- Considered as forward-looking professionals. They step ahead of their peers, innovative, creative, and are visionaries;
- Considered as good and well-informed business decision makers. They value statistics, careful studies, and planning while taking calculated risks;
- Found to be aggressive and tenacious in any undertakings. Getting an MBA, for example, is a result of hardwork and perseverance in itself because of stiffer requirements than a bachelor’s degree;
- Serious about their career growth.
Here are your quick takes:
- If you are not fending for your own family, meaning you can afford to pursue a graduate program on a full-time basis –enroll today and get that MBA or graduate degree of your choice. Sometimes, a job can wait a little longer. An investment on graduate degree today can mean more and better job opportunities and offers in the future;
- If you are being offered a job, do not just negotiate about the salary and benefits package, include time allotment or scholarship fund for a graduate program;
- If pursuing graduate studies in-campus is not feasible, try online graduate courses or any other similar on line universities. By all means , get that master’s degree;
- Do not put-off pursuing graduate education in the latter years of your career, for by then you might not need it. You need it today!
Again, can MBA or a graduate degree guarantee career success?
A friend of mine just emailed me one of your articles from a while back. I read that one a few more. Really enjoy your blog. Thanks.
Jason Whitmen
Wow! Thank you Jason. And you are most welcome always.
Cheers!
I am currently an MBA student and I quick agree with what you say. But I will like to point out that what you make out of the MBA degree is much more important than having the degree as a title behind your name.
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I currently have a B.A. in Management. Worked for one of the Big 6..then Big 5..the Final Four! :^) All the other consultants around me had MBA’s..but..most of them were fairly new graduates. I on the other hand had years of experience behind me. When experience is not enough..then an MBA is most definitely worth it.
In the job I currently have, two of my employees are MBAs. However, considering I’m a strong advocate and proponent of education, I am currently in my 2d year of working on a Ph.D. It’s taking so long because it skips the MBA by incorporating the MBA core courses in the curriculum. In any case, I think you are right on track. Having a graduate degree certainly tells an employer that you are ambitious, promotable, and management material..that is certainly why I hired the two MBA’s and why I’m working on my terminal degree..for added value!
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@ PACE
I agree with you there a 100%. In fact, an MBA is more than a degree badge, it connotes a stamp of ambition, hard work, and perseverance.
Good luck on your MBA, enjoy while sharpening your management skills. ^^,
@ Bob
IMO, Continuing education, like a graduate program, should be encouraged in the workplace. Like you, as an advocate of education, I have proposed to have a graduate program scholarship included in our benefits package for supervisors and managers. A small investment on the part of the organization but actually a long term profitability on its part because of quality and competent personnel produced; and equally of the recipient employee.
Thank you for amplifying my points Bob and good luck on your PhD -that’s even a tougher feat especially when you are working. ^^,
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts and the much appreciated (future) visits!
Cheers!
There was a recent New York Times article that discussed whether MBAs were as important as they used to be and whether they produced as great a return on your investment (since getting an MBA is not cheap in terms of time OR money). It’s a good piece, if you haven’t read it!
This is interesting topic that I’m currently thinking about. Good post!
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[...] Title: Can MBA Degree Guarantee Career Success? Author Byline: Practical Tips for Young Urban Professionals Author Website: [...]
Erica,
Do you have a link for that New York Times article?
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Thanks Erica I’ll check it out.
On the same note, let me say tentatively that for a young professional who wants to climb the corporate ladder, it is a good investment.
Nathan, I’ll find the article for you and let you know.
Great article thanks! I got my MBA a few years back. I originally started doing it purely to climb the corporate ‘ladder’ faster however found that, by the end, I realised that even if my career didn’t benefit from the degree then I had still gained a truly fantastic experience.
I recommend doing a good MBA for the experience and not just potential career advancement.
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